Top Major League Rookies, Part II

Now that half the season is in the books and impact rookies have had time to shine, it’s time to update our earlier ranking.

But first a clarification: Brendan Harris, who ranked No. 7 on the previous installment, is in actuality not a rookie. Though he entered the season with just 110 big league at-bats, Harris had spent more than 45 days on a big league roster, thus depriving him of rookie status.

This is also the reason Twins reliever Pat Neshek does not make an appearance here.

Click the player names below to get up-to-date stats, but keep in mind the listed stats are through games of July 4 to provide a midseason snapshot.

2. Daisuke Matsuzaka, rhp, 26, Red Sox
W-L: 10-5. ERA: 3.53. IP: 114 2/3. SO: 119. BB: 37. HR: 9. GO/AO: 0.99.
Though he’s relinquished the top spot on this list, Matsuzaka has simply been one of the best pitchers in the league. His 119 strikeouts rank third in the AL.

3. Jeremy Guthrie, rhp, 28, Orioles
W-L: 4-2. ERA: 2.63. IP: 96. SO: 69. BB: 15. HR: 8. GO/AO: 1.37.
Guthrie, the 22nd overall pick in 2002, seemed like a curious use of a roster spot when the Orioles claimed him on waivers from the Indians in January, but he’s turned into a serious rookie of the year candidate. Despite just two wins, his ERA ranks second in the league, and his 4.6 strikeouts-walks ratio tops all pitchers on this list.